Dynamic access slice pooling and software defined network controlled capabilities

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a dynamic access slice pooling system with software defined network (SDN) controlled capabilities in a 5G wireless communications system. A radio access network device can have one or more slices instantiated on the device that facilitate various services being requested by user equipment devices. A slice can have one or more virtual network functions that are specialized for particular services. When a user equipment device requests a service, the service can be assigned to a slice based on the type of service being requested. If the type of slice associated with the service is not currently operational, the SDN controller on the radio access network device can instantiate a new slice with the virtual network functions selected for the service being requested.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to a field of mobilecommunication and, more specifically to dynamically providing accessslice pooling and software defined network (SDN) controlledcapabilities.

BACKGROUND

To meet the huge demand for data centric applications, Third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) systems and systems that employ one or moreaspects of the specifications of the Fourth Generation (4G) standard forwireless communications will be extended to a Fifth Generation (5G)standard for wireless communications. Unique challenges exist to providelevels of service associated with forthcoming 5G and other nextgeneration network standards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the subject disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system fordynamically providing access slice pooling in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example radio access network that assigns accessslices to facilitate communications with a user equipment device inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example radio access network that assigns accessslices to facilitate communications with a user equipment device basedon a service being used by the user equipment device in accordance withvarious aspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example radio access network that assigns accessslices to facilitate communications with a plurality of user equipmentdevices in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example embodiment of a radio access network inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example embodiment of a core network in accordancewith various aspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for dynamically providing accessslice pooling in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method for dynamically providing accessslice pooling in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example block diagram of an example user equipmentthat can be a mobile handset operable to provide a format indicator inaccordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of a computer that can beoperable to execute processes and methods in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

Various embodiments disclosed herein provide for a dynamic access slicepooling system with SDN controlled capabilities in a 5G wirelesscommunications system. A radio access network device can have one ormore slices instantiated on the device that facilitate various servicesbeing requested by user equipment devices. A slice can have one or morevirtual network functions that are specialized for particular services.When a user equipment device requests a service, the service can beassigned to a slice based on the type of service being requested. If thetype of slice associated with the service is not currently operational,the SDN controller on the radio access network device can instantiate anew slice with the virtual network functions selected for the servicebeing requested. In an embodiment, additional slices can also beinstantiated or used in response to changing network conditions such asincreased demand and etc.

In an embodiment, the access slice pooling system can also be used tofacilitate access to a number of different access technologies. As thenumber of different connectivity types increases, and traffic demandincreases, being able to assign and instantiate access slices on variousdifferent access networks can enable devices to seamlessly operateacross different network platforms and technologies.

The access slice pooling system can also assign different access slicesto facilitate different services based on the requirements of theservice. For instance, an application on a user equipment device thatrequires low latency service, can be assigned to an access slice withvirtual network functions designed for low latency. To able to tailorthe solution to ever increasing type of technology with their disparaterequirements, the access network needs to be able to instantiatededicated and very specific feature for that explicit access technologyon demand In most cases, when the service is being used by a subscriberthrough a one or more access technology, it expected that the networkshall take into consideration the type of available access, signalstrength, traffic load and other potential variables in order to choosebest possible network for that specific service.

On the core network, some of main core capabilities are beinginstantiated on separate instances within group of dedicated functionscalled slices. This slices can have specific characteristics intendedfor the specific service requirements. A dynamic access slice poolingcapability to address crucial challenge where any access technologycombination can be used to transfer information to the core networkefficiently and securely. Heterogeneous network comprises of differenttype of network elements that can be virtually combined in a number ofcombination in order to create a perfect slice of network for a specificservice infrastructure.

Note that for simplicity we use the radio network node or simply networknode is used for gNB. It refers to any type of network node that servesUE and/or connected to other network node or network element or anyradio node from where UE receives signal. Examples of hosting layerradio network nodes are Node B, base station (BS), multi-standard radio(MSR) node such as MSR BS, gNB, eNode B, network controller, radionetwork controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donornode controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point(AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, RRU, RRH, nodes indistributed antenna system (DAS) etc. Other types of access pointdevices can include 6LowPan, Wi-Fi, Range extenders, femtocells, andother enhancing layer devices.

Likewise, for reception we use the term user equipment (UE). It refersto any type of wireless device that communicates with a radio networknode in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE aretarget device, device to device (D2D) UE, machine type UE or UE capableof machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, Tablet, mobileterminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mountedequipment (LME), USB dongles etc. Note that the terms element, elementsand antenna ports are also interchangeably used but carry the samemeaning in this disclosure.

In various embodiments, a system can comprise a processor and a memorythat stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processorfacilitate performance of operations. The operations can comprisereceiving a request for a first service from a user equipment associatedwith a radio access network. The operations can also include selecting afirst radio access network slice from a group of active radio accessnetwork slices to manage the first service, wherein the first radioaccess network slice comprises a group of virtual network functionsassociated with the first service. The operations can also compriseinstantiating the first radio access network slice on a deviceassociated with the radio access network.

In another embodiment, method comprises determining, by a devicecomprising a processor, that a user equipment is requesting initiationof a first network service. The method can also comprise assigning, bythe device, a first radio access network slice selected from a group ofradio access network slices to manage the first network service, whereinthe first radio access network slice comprises a group of virtualnetwork functions associated with the first network service. The methodcan also comprise facilitating, by the device, transmitting of dataprocessed by the first radio access network slice to a core networkdevice.

In another embodiment machine-readable storage medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device,facilitate performance of operations. The operations can comprisereceiving a transmission corresponding to a first network service from auser device associated with a radio access network. The operations canalso comprise selecting a first radio access network slice from a groupof active radio access network slices to manage the first networkservice, wherein the first radio access network slice comprises a groupof virtual network functions associated with the first network service.The operations can also comprise causing the first radio access networkslice to be instantiated on at least one device of the radio accessnetwork.

As used in this disclosure, in some embodiments, the terms “component,”“system” and the like are intended to refer to, or comprise, acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatuswith one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can beeither hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executableinstructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration andnot limitation, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component.

One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread ofexecution and a component may be localized on one computer and/ordistributed between two or more computers. In addition, these componentscan execute from various computer readable media having various datastructures stored thereon. The components may communicate via localand/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having oneor more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting withanother component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across anetwork such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). Asanother example, a component can be an apparatus with specificfunctionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric orelectronic circuitry, which is operated by a software application orfirmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor canbe internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. The mechanical parts can includesensors on a float, tilt monitors, and etc. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can comprise a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. While various components have been illustrated asseparate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components canbe implemented as a single component, or a single component can beimplemented as multiple components, without departing from exampleembodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable (or machine-readable) device or computer-readable (ormachine-readable) storage/communications media.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, solid state drive (SSD) or other solid-state storagetechnology, compact disk read only memory (CD ROM), digital versatiledisk (DVD), Blu-ray disc or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices or other tangible and/or non-transitory media which canbe used to store desired information. In this regard, the terms“tangible” or “non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “mobile device equipment,” “mobile station,”“mobile,” subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,”“communication device,” “mobile device” (and/or terms representingsimilar terminology) can refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or mobile device of a wireless communication service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably herein and with reference to the relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point (AP),” “Base Station (BS),”BS transceiver, BS device, cell site, cell site device, “Node B (NB),”“evolved Node B (eNode B),” “home Node B (HNB)” and the like, areutilized interchangeably in the application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that transmits and/or receives data,control, voice, video, sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from one or more subscriber stations. Data andsignaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “device,” “communication device,” “mobiledevice,” “subscriber,” “customer entity,” “consumer,” “customer entity,”“entity” and the like are employed interchangeably throughout, unlesscontext warrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms), which canprovide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

Embodiments described herein can be exploited in substantially anywireless communication technology, comprising, but not limited to,wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), global system for mobile communications(GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), worldwideinteroperability for microwave access (WiMAX), enhanced general packetradio service (enhanced GPRS), third generation partnership project(3GPP) long term evolution (LTE), third generation partnership project 2(3GPP2) ultra mobile broadband (UMB), high speed packet access (HSPA),machine to machine, satellite, microwave, laser, Z-Wave, Zigbee andother 802.XX wireless technologies and/or legacy telecommunicationtechnologies.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment 100 of a access slice poolingsystem in accordance with various aspects and embodiments of the subjectdisclosure. A UE device 102 can connect to a mobile network (e.g., corenetwork 106) via radio access network device 104. The radio accessnetwork device 104 can have one or more slices instantiated tofacilitate the communications with the core network 106. Network slicesare form of virtual network architecture that comprise a defined set ofvirtual network functions designed to facilitate one or more computingpurposes. Various slices can be instantiated on the radio access networkdevice 104, each of the network slices to perform a set of operations tofacilitate one or more services.

Each access slice comprises an independent set of logical networkfunctions that support the requirements of the particular use case, withthe term ‘logical’ referring to software. Each slice can be optimised toprovide the resources and network topology for the specific service andtraffic that will use the slice. Functions such as speed, capacity,connectivity and coverage will be allocated to meet the particulardemands of each use case, but functional components may also be sharedacross different network slices.

In an embodiment, radio access network 104 may have several slicesinstantiated, facilitating communications with the user equipmentdevices connected to the radio access network 104. When a request for aservice is received from UE 102 (e.g., in response to UE 102 initiatinga phone call, voice communication, video communication, initiating anapplication, transferring data, and etc.) one or more network functionson radio access network 104 can assign the service to one of the sliceson the radio access network device 104 based on the service beingrequested. If the slice(s) associated with the service is not currentlyinstantiated, the radio access network device 104 can instantiate theslice to manage or facilitate the service. The radio access network 104can select the appropriate slice based on one or more characteristics ofthe service, including the bandwidth requirements, latency requirements,functions required, and other requirements.

In one or more embodiments, different UE devices, subscribers, clients,enterprise customers, may have different requirements regardingsecurity, traffic control, logging, and so different slices can beinstantiated based on the requirements. For instance, multipleenterprise customers may operate devices on a mobile network, and when aUE device (e.g., UE device 102) connects to radio access network 104,the core network 106 can determine which customer the UE device 102 isassociated with, and assign the services to the appropriate access sliceon radio access network 104.

Likewise, UE device 102 may belong to another mobile network, and beroaming on the mobile network associated with radio access network 104.Core network 106 can determine the requirements of the UE device 102from the home mobile network, and instruct radio access network 104 toinstantiate a slice with appropriate virtual network functions.

In an embodiment, the core network 106 can also have one or more servicerelated slices to facilitate the services being requested by the UE 102.SDN controllers on the core network 106 and radio access network 104 canhandle routing the service traffic between the relevant access slicesand service related slices.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example embodiment 200 of aradio access network that assigns access slices to facilitatecommunications with a user equipment device in accordance with variousaspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, radio access network device 204 canhave two access slices 208 and 210 instantiated on the device 204. Inone or more embodiments, each of the access slices 208 and 210 can befacilitating and/or managing traffic for services being requested by UE202. For instance, UE 202 could have two applications operational, or anapplication on UE 202 could be requesting two different services. If theservices have different enough requirements, the radio access network204 can assign the services to respective access slices (e.g., 208 and210). The access slices 208 and 210 can facilitate communicationsbetween the UE 202 and the core network 206 and respective servicerelated slices instantiated on the core network 206.

In an embodiment, the radio access network 204 can assign the servicerelated traffic to the access slices 208 and/or 210 based on the type ofservice being requested. For example, any service relating to areal-time communication can be assigned to a slice that is designed forlow latency services. In other embodiments, the service request cancomprise an indicator requesting a particular slice, or a slice with adefined or preferred set of virtual network functions. In yet anotherembodiment, the radio access network 204 can learn which type of slicewould be best for the service. For instance, if the radio access network204 determines that real time communications, and high speed bandwidthare requirements, the radio access network 204 can design a slice basedon the requirements, or instantiate a slice from a set of slices thatmost closely matches the requirements of the service.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an example embodiment 300 of aradio access network that assigns access slices to facilitatecommunications with a user equipment device based on a service beingused by the user equipment device in accordance with various aspects andembodiments of the subject disclosure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, UE 302 may have a plurality ofservices (e.g., services 312 and 314) running, and radio access networkdevice 304 can assign different slices (e.g., slices 308 and 310) tofacilitate communications between services 312 and 314 and the corenetwork 306. The services 312 can be from disparate applications on theUE 302, or can be associated with the same application.

In an embodiment, radio access network 304 can adjust the resourcesprovided to one or more of access slices 308 and/or 310 depending on therequirements of the services 312 and 314. If service 312 requiresadditional resources (bandwidth, throughput, latency requirements, etc.)radio access network 304 can adjust the resources provided to accessslice 308 accordingly, increasing the size or capabilities of the slicedynamically. If the slices are limited in size, radio access network 304can even instantiate duplicate slices to provide load balancing for theservice 312.

In an embodiment, the access slices 308 and 310 can providefunctionality for different aspects of services 312 and 314. Forinstance, access slice 308 can manage user plane interactions with theuser equipment device 302, while access slice 310 can manage controlplane interactions with user equipment device 302.

In an embodiment, access slices 308 and/or 310 can be instantiated basedon expected need. For instance, if the radio access network 304 predictsthat services 312 and/or 314 will be requested by UE 302, radio accessnetwork 304 can instantiate access slices 308 and 310 before therequests are received based on the prediction or based on past behavior.This can enable the radio access network 304 to more quickly assign therequested services to the respective access slices.

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an example embodiment 400 of aradio access network that assigns access slices to facilitatecommunications with a plurality of user equipment devices in accordancewith various aspects and embodiments of the subject disclosure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, UE 402 and 414 can have services 412and 416 respectively managed by access slices 408 and 410 on the radioaccess network 404. The access slices 408 and 410 can facilitate datatraffic and processing between services 412 and 416 and the core network406.

In an embodiment, access slices 408 and/or 410 can be instantiated basedon expected need. For instance, if the radio access network 304 predictsthat services 412 and/or 414 will be requested by UEs 402 and 414, radioaccess network 404 can instantiate access slices 408 and 410 before therequests are received based on the prediction or based on past behavior.Radio access network 404 can also instantiate access slices 408 and 410based on determining which different types of devices are connected tothe network (e.g., devices 402 and 414). For instance, the UEs 402 and414 may have different technologies, or requirements, or can even beassociated with subscribers to different levels of service requirements,or mobile networks, and radio access network 404 can instantiate theaccess slices that have the relevant virtual network functions for theUEs 402 and 414.

Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is an example embodiment 500 of aradio access network in accordance with various aspects and embodimentsof the subject disclosure. The radio access network 504 can correspondto one or more of radio access networks 104, 204, 304, and/or 404.

Radio access network 504 can comprise a common slice with virtualnetwork functions for facilitating access slice pooling and assignments.The common slice 506 can receive a request for service from a UE 502,and various virtual network functions on common slice 506 can determineinformation about the UE device 502, the service requested, select anaccess slice (e.g., access slice 518, 520, 522, and/or 524) to assignthe service to, or instantiate a new access slice, as well as facilitatecommunications between the access slices and the core network.

In an embodiment, the common slice 506 can include an access managementfunction 508, a slice selection function 512, a radio controllerfunction 514, an intelligent resource management function 516, as wellas an SDN controller 510. The radio controller function 514 canconfigure radio devices such as 4G radios, 5G radios, Wi-Fi radios,6LowPan radios, and etc. The access management function 508 candetermine which technologies should be prioritized for specificservices. For example, 5G technologies can be prioritized for serviceswith low latency requirements, while Wi-Fi can be prioritized forservices that have a high bandwidth requirement. The SDN controller 510can communicate the intelligent decisions cross service, core, backhauland access network. The SDN controller 510 manages which radio devicesthe access slices have access to, and then the access slices manage thecontrol and user plane and pass the slices to the slices in the corenetwork.

The common slice can also include a intelligent resource managementfunction 516 that can consider traffic load, access types (5G, 4G, 3G,wi-Fi etc.) and their signal strength which inline will decide trafficdistribution cross available access types and Slices alreadyinstantiated or available in E-comp to be instantiated. IRM 516 can alsodecided the optimal physical (connection with transceivers) andfunctional (vNFs in slices) elements. IRM 516 also will play a decidingrole on which transceivers will be used on what spectrum and how muchpower dedicated to the transceivers. The intelligent resource managementfunction can keep a resource management log that includes medium accesscontrol, networking, management information, baseband and digital signalprocessing records. This information can be used in similarcircumstances for a streamlined, efficient and intelligent management ofthe resources. As this log keep growing it makes the decision makingprocess much more efficient by referring back to a similar circumstancesand comparing the result and fine tuning the decision for an optimalresult.

The slice selection function 512 can select an access slice from a poolof access slices to facilitate a service. The slice selection function512 can determine which slice is appropriate based on the user equipmentdevice 502, the type of service being requested, customer and/orsubscriber account, and other information.

Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an example embodiment 600 of acore network 602 in accordance with various aspects and embodiments ofthe subject disclosure.

The core network can comprise a default main slice 604 with variousnetwork functions to manage communications received from the radioaccess network and assign the communications to one or more serviceslices 610 and 612 based on the service associated with thecommunications. The main slice can include a slice selection function606 which determines which service slice should handle the servicerequested from the user equipment device, and the SDN controller 608 canmanage which communications the service slices 610 and 612 have accessto.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrates processes in connection with the aforementionedsystems. The process in FIGS. 7-8 can be implemented for example by thesystems in FIGS. 1-6 respectively. While for purposes of simplicity ofexplanation, the methods are shown and described as a series of blocks,it is to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matteris not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described hereinafter.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 700 for dynamically providingaccess slice pooling in accordance with various aspects and embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

Method 700 can begin at 702 wherein the method includes receiving arequest for a first service from a user equipment associated with aradio access network.

At 704, the method can include selecting a first radio access networkslice from a group of active radio access network slices to manage thefirst service, wherein the first radio access network slice comprises agroup of virtual network functions associated with the first service.

At 706, the method can include instantiating the first radio accessnetwork slice on a device associated with the radio access network.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example method 800 for dynamically providingaccess slice pooling in accordance with various aspects and embodimentsof the subject disclosure.

Method 800 can begin at 802 wherein the method includes determining, bya device comprising a processor, that a user equipment is requestinginitiation of a first network service.

At 804, the method can include assigning, by the device, a first radioaccess network slice selected from a group of radio access networkslices to manage the first network service, wherein the first radioaccess network slice comprises a group of virtual network functionsassociated with the first network service.

At 806, the method can include facilitating, by the device, transmittingof data processed by the first radio access network slice to a corenetwork device.

Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated is a schematic block diagram of anexample end-user device such as a user equipment) that can be a mobiledevice 900 capable of connecting to a network in accordance with someembodiments described herein. Although a mobile handset 900 isillustrated herein, it will be understood that other devices can be amobile device, and that the mobile handset 900 is merely illustrated toprovide context for the embodiments of the various embodiments describedherein. The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of an example of a suitable environment 900 in which thevarious embodiments can be implemented. While the description includes ageneral context of computer-executable instructions embodied on amachine-readable storage medium, those skilled in the art will recognizethat the various embodiments also can be implemented in combination withother program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, applications (e.g., program modules) can include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particulartasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that the methods described herein canbe practiced with other system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like,each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associateddevices.

A computing device can typically include a variety of machine-readablemedia. Machine-readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by the computer and includes both volatile and non-volatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example and notlimitation, computer-readable media can comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media can include volatileand/or non-volatile media, removable and/or non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information, suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data. Computer storage media can include, but is not limited to,RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD ROM,digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store thedesired information and which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the anyof the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The handset 900 includes a processor 902 for controlling and processingall onboard operations and functions. A memory 904 interfaces to theprocessor 902 for storage of data and one or more applications 906(e.g., a video player software, user feedback component software, etc.).Other applications can include voice recognition of predetermined voicecommands that facilitate initiation of the user feedback signals. Theapplications 906 can be stored in the memory 904 and/or in a firmware908, and executed by the processor 902 from either or both the memory904 or/and the firmware 908. The firmware 908 can also store startupcode for execution in initializing the handset 900. A communicationscomponent 910 interfaces to the processor 902 to facilitatewired/wireless communication with external systems, e.g., cellularnetworks, VoIP networks, and so on. Here, the communications component910 can also include a suitable cellular transceiver 911 (e.g., a GSMtransceiver) and/or an unlicensed transceiver 913 (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMax)for corresponding signal communications. The handset 900 can be a devicesuch as a cellular telephone, a PDA with mobile communicationscapabilities, and messaging-centric devices. The communicationscomponent 910 also facilitates communications reception from terrestrialradio networks (e.g., broadcast), digital satellite radio networks, andInternet-based radio services networks.

The handset 900 includes a display 912 for displaying text, images,video, telephony functions (e.g., a Caller ID function), setupfunctions, and for user input. For example, the display 912 can also bereferred to as a “screen” that can accommodate the presentation ofmultimedia content (e.g., music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics,etc.). The display 912 can also display videos and can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A serial I/O interface914 is provided in communication with the processor 902 to facilitatewired and/or wireless serial communications (e.g., USB, and/or IEEE1394) through a hardwire connection, and other serial input devices(e.g., a keyboard, keypad, and mouse). This supports updating andtroubleshooting the handset 900, for example. Audio capabilities areprovided with an audio I/O component 916, which can include a speakerfor the output of audio signals related to, for example, indication thatthe user pressed the proper key or key combination to initiate the userfeedback signal. The audio I/O component 916 also facilitates the inputof audio signals through a microphone to record data and/or telephonyvoice data, and for inputting voice signals for telephone conversations.

The handset 900 can include a slot interface 918 for accommodating a SIC(Subscriber Identity Component) in the form factor of a card SubscriberIdentity Module (SIM) or universal SIM 920, and interfacing the SIM card920 with the processor 902. However, it is to be appreciated that theSIM card 920 can be manufactured into the handset 900, and updated bydownloading data and software.

The handset 900 can process IP data traffic through the communicationcomponent 910 to accommodate IP traffic from an IP network such as, forexample, the Internet, a corporate intranet, a home network, a personarea network, etc., through an ISP or broadband cable provider. Thus,VoIP traffic can be utilized by the handset 800 and IP-based multimediacontent can be received in either an encoded or decoded format.

A video processing component 922 (e.g., a camera) can be provided fordecoding encoded multimedia content. The video processing component 922can aid in facilitating the generation, editing and sharing of videoquotes. The handset 900 also includes a power source 924 in the form ofbatteries and/or an AC power subsystem, which power source 924 caninterface to an external power system or charging equipment (not shown)by a power I/O component 926.

The handset 900 can also include a video component 930 for processingvideo content received and, for recording and transmitting videocontent. For example, the video component 930 can facilitate thegeneration, editing and sharing of video quotes. A location trackingcomponent 932 facilitates geographically locating the handset 900. Asdescribed hereinabove, this can occur when the user initiates thefeedback signal automatically or manually. A user input component 934facilitates the user initiating the quality feedback signal. The userinput component 934 can also facilitate the generation, editing andsharing of video quotes. The user input component 934 can include suchconventional input device technologies such as a keypad, keyboard,mouse, stylus pen, and/or touch screen, for example.

Referring again to the applications 906, a hysteresis component 936facilitates the analysis and processing of hysteresis data, which isutilized to determine when to associate with the access point. Asoftware trigger component 938 can be provided that facilitatestriggering of the hysteresis component 938 when the Wi-Fi transceiver913 detects the beacon of the access point. A SIP client 940 enables thehandset 900 to support SIP protocols and register the subscriber withthe SIP registrar server. The applications 906 can also include a client942 that provides at least the capability of discovery, play and storeof multimedia content, for example, music.

The handset 900, as indicated above related to the communicationscomponent 810, includes an indoor network radio transceiver 913 (e.g.,Wi-Fi transceiver). This function supports the indoor radio link, suchas IEEE 802.11, for the dual-mode GSM handset 900. The handset 900 canaccommodate at least satellite radio services through a handset that cancombine wireless voice and digital radio chipsets into a single handhelddevice.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputer 1000 operable to execute the functions and operations performedin the described example embodiments. For example, a network node (e.g.,network node 406) may contain components as described in FIG. 10. Thecomputer 1000 can provide networking and communication capabilitiesbetween a wired or wireless communication network and a server and/orcommunication device. In order to provide additional context for variousaspects thereof, FIG. 10 and the following discussion are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environmentin which the various aspects of the embodiments can be implemented tofacilitate the establishment of a transaction between an entity and athird party. While the description above is in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodimentsalso can be implemented in combination with other program modules and/oras a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the various embodiments can also be practicedin distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performedby remote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media can embody computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other structured or unstructured data ina data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference to FIG. 10, implementing various aspects described hereinwith regards to the end-user device can include a computer 1000, thecomputer 1000 including a processing unit 1004, a system memory 1006 anda system bus 1008. The system bus 1008 couples system componentsincluding, but not limited to, the system memory 1006 to the processingunit 1004. The processing unit 1004 can be any of various commerciallyavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processorarchitectures can also be employed as the processing unit 1004.

The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 1006includes read-only memory (ROM) 1027 and random access memory (RAM)1012. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatilememory 1027 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basicroutines that help to transfer information between elements within thecomputer 1000, such as during start-up. The RAM 1012 can also include ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 1000 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1014 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 1014 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1016, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 1018) and an optical disk drive 1020, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 1022 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 1014, magnetic diskdrive 1016 and optical disk drive 1020 can be connected to the systembus 1008 by a hard disk drive interface 1024, a magnetic disk driveinterface 1026 and an optical drive interface 1028, respectively. Theinterface 1024 for external drive implementations includes at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interfacetechnologies. Other external drive connection technologies are withincontemplation of the subject embodiments.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 1000 the drives and mediaaccommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to aHDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media suchas a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat other types of media which are readable by a computer 1000, such aszip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and thelike, can also be used in the example operating environment, andfurther, that any such media can contain computer-executableinstructions for performing the methods of the disclosed embodiments.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 1012,including an operating system 1030, one or more application programs1032, other program modules 1034 and program data 1036. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 1012. It is to be appreciated that the variousembodiments can be implemented with various commercially availableoperating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 1000 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 1038 and apointing device, such as a mouse 1040. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad,a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devicesare often connected to the processing unit 1004 through an input deviceinterface 1042 that is coupled to the system bus 1008, but can beconnected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 1044 or other type of display device is also connected to thesystem bus 1008 through an interface, such as a video adapter 1046. Inaddition to the monitor 1044, a computer 1000 typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 1000 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections by wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1048. The remotecomputer(s) 1048 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentdevice, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer,although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1050 isillustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1052 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1054. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which mayconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1000 isconnected to the local network 1052 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 1056. The adapter 1056 mayfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 1052, which mayalso include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicatingwith the wireless adapter 1056.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1000 can includea modem 1058, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN1054, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1054, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 1058, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to thesystem bus 1008 through the input device interface 1042. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer, orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1050. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexemplary and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer is operable to communicate with any wireless devices orentities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., aprinter, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable dataassistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or locationassociated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand,restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefinedstructure as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoccommunication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from acouch at home, a bed in a hotel room, or a conference room at work,without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology similar to that used in acell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send andreceive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a basestation. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE802.11 (a, b,g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. AWi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to theInternet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Finetworks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate, for example, or withproducts that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks canprovide real-world performance similar to the basic “10BaseT” wiredEthernet networks used in many offices.

As used in this application, the terms “system,” “component,”“interface,” and the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational machinewith one or more specific functionalities. The entities disclosed hereincan be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software,software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, butis not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor,an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or acomputer. By way of illustration, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. These components also can execute from various computerreadable storage media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry that is operated bysoftware or firmware application(s) executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. An interface can comprise input/output (I/O)components as well as associated processor, application, and/or APIcomponents.

Furthermore, the disclosed subject matter may be implemented as amethod, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programmingand/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware,or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement thedisclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as usedherein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device, computer-readable carrier, orcomputer-readable media. For example, computer-readable media caninclude, but are not limited to, a magnetic storage device, e.g., harddisk; floppy disk; magnetic strip(s); an optical disk (e.g., compactdisk (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), a Blu-ray Disc™ (BD)); a smartcard; a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive); and/or avirtual device that emulates a storage device and/or any of the abovecomputer-readable media.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor also can be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “data store,” “datastorage,” “database,” “repository,” “queue”, and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory. In addition, memory components or memory elementscan be removable or stationary. Moreover, memory can be internal orexternal to a device or component, or removable or stationary. Memorycan comprise various types of media that are readable by a computer,such as hard-disc drives, zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards or other types of memory cards, cartridges, or the like.

By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory cancomprise read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electricallyprogrammable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flashmemory. Volatile memory can comprise random access memory (RAM), whichacts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM(SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rateSDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), anddirect Rambus RAM (DRRAM). Additionally, the disclosed memory componentsof systems or methods herein are intended to comprise, without beinglimited to comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., a functional equivalent), even though not structurallyequivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function inthe herein illustrated example aspects of the embodiments. In thisregard, it will also be recognized that the embodiments comprises asystem as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executableinstructions for performing the acts and/or events of the variousmethods.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media cancomprise, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory orother memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/ornon-transitory media which can be used to store desired information.Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as amodulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transportmechanism, and comprises any information delivery or transport media.The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in one or more signals. By way of example, and notlimitation, communications media comprise wired media, such as a wirednetwork or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic,RF, infrared and other wireless media

Further, terms like “user equipment,” “user device,” “mobile device,”“mobile,” station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” andsimilar terminology, generally refer to a wireless device utilized by asubscriber or user of a wireless communication network or service toreceive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound, gaming, orsubstantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The foregoing termsare utilized interchangeably in the subject specification and relateddrawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,” “node B,” “base station,”“evolved Node B,” “cell,” “cell site,” and the like, can be utilizedinterchangeably in the subject application, and refer to a wirelessnetwork component or appliance that serves and receives data, control,voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream orsignaling-stream from a set of subscriber stations. Data and signalingstreams can be packetized or frame-based flows. It is noted that in thesubject specification and drawings, context or explicit distinctionprovides differentiation with respect to access points or base stationsthat serve and receive data from a mobile device in an outdoorenvironment, and access points or base stations that operate in aconfined, primarily indoor environment overlaid in an outdoor coveragearea. Data and signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer,” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout the subjectspecification, unless context warrants particular distinction(s) amongthe terms. It should be appreciated that such terms can refer to humanentities, associated devices, or automated components supported throughartificial intelligence (e.g., a capacity to make inference based oncomplex mathematical formalisms) which can provide simulated vision,sound recognition and so forth. In addition, the terms “wirelessnetwork” and “network” are used interchangeable in the subjectapplication, when context wherein the term is utilized warrantsdistinction for clarity purposes such distinction is made explicit.

Moreover, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as anexample, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design describedherein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the wordexemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As usedin this application, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or”rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, orclear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of thenatural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; orX employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under anyof the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” asused in this application and the appended claims should generally beconstrued to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear fromcontext to be directed to a singular form.

In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed withrespect to only one of several implementations, such feature may becombined with one or more other features of the other implementations asmay be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes” and “including” andvariants thereof are used in either the detailed description or theclaims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprising.”

The above descriptions of various embodiments of the subject disclosureand corresponding figures and what is described in the Abstract, aredescribed herein for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise formsdisclosed. It is to be understood that one of ordinary skill in the artmay recognize that other embodiments having modifications, permutations,combinations, and additions can be implemented for performing the same,similar, alternative, or substitute functions of the disclosed subjectmatter, and are therefore considered within the scope of thisdisclosure. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not belimited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should beconstrued in breadth and scope in accordance with the claims below.

1. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory that storesexecutable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitateperformance of operations, comprising: receiving a request for a firstservice from a user equipment associated with a radio access network;selecting a first radio access network slice from a group of activeradio access network slices to manage the first service, wherein thefirst radio access network slice comprises a group of virtual networkfunctions associated with the first service; and instantiating the firstradio access network slice on a device associated with the radio accessnetwork.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise: receiving a request for a second service from the userequipment; and selecting a second radio access network slice from thegroup of radio access network slices to manage the second service. 3.The system of claim 2, wherein the second radio access network slicecomprises the group of virtual network functions.
 4. The system of claim2, wherein the group of virtual network functions is a first group ofvirtual network functions, and wherein the second radio access networkslice comprises a second group of virtual network functions differentthan the first group of virtual network functions.
 5. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the user equipment communicates with a core networkdevice of a core network concurrently via the first radio access networkslice and the second radio access network slice.
 6. The system of claim1, wherein the operations further comprise: increasing a size of thefirst radio access network slice in response to determining that abandwidth request for the first service has increased.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: accessing a duplicatefirst radio access network slice in response to determining that abandwidth request for the first service has increased.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the group of virtual network functions comprisescontrol plane functions and user plane functions.
 9. The system of claim1, wherein the instantiating the first radio access network slice on thedevice comprises: instantiating the first radio access network slicebased on an anticipated level of request for the first service.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first radio access network slice receivesdata from the user equipment via a hosting layer device.
 11. The systemof claim 10, wherein the first radio access network slice receives datafrom the user equipment via an enhancing layer device that providesbackup for the hosting layer device.
 12. A method, comprising:determining, by a device comprising a processor, that a user equipmentis requesting initiation of a first network service; assigning, by thedevice, a first radio access network slice selected from a group ofradio access network slices to manage the first network service, whereinthe first radio access network slice comprises a group of virtualnetwork functions associated with the first network service; andfacilitating, by the device, transmitting of data processed by the firstradio access network slice to a core network device.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the network service is a first network service, andfurther comprising: determining, by the device, that the user equipmentis requesting initiation of a second network service; and in response todetermining that the second network service is not associated with radioaccess network slices of the group of active radio access networkslices, instantiating, by the device, a second radio access networkslice to manage the second network service.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the second radio access network slice comprises virtual networkfunctions different from the group of virtual network functions.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the first radio access network slice and thesecond radio access network slice receive data from the user equipmentvia different radio network devices.
 16. The method of claim 12, whereinthe first radio access network slice is instantiated as a first instanceof the first radio access network slices, and further comprising:instantiating, by the device, a second instance of the first radioaccess network slice in response to determining that a bandwidthrequirement for the first network service has increased abovepredetermined bandwidth level.
 17. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: transmitting, by the device, data to the core network devicevia the first radio access network slice and the second radio accessnetwork slice concurrently.
 18. A non-transitory machine-readablemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessor of a device, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:receiving a transmission corresponding to a first network service from auser device associated with a radio access network; selecting a firstradio access network slice from a group of active radio access networkslices to manage the first network service, wherein the first radioaccess network slice comprises a group of virtual network functionsassociated with the first network service; and causing the first radioaccess network slice to be instantiated on at least one device of theradio access network.
 19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium ofclaim 18, wherein the first network service is a first network service,and wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a transmissionfrom the user device corresponding to a second network service; anddetermining that the second network service is not associated with radioaccess network slices of the group of active radio access networkslices; and causing a second radio access network slice to beinstantiated on the at least one device to handle the second networkservice.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 18,wherein the operations further comprise: causing a duplicate of thefirst radio access network slice to be instantiated on the at least onedevice in response to determining that an amount of total bandwidthbeing requested to carry out the first network service has increased.